EP4062806A1 - Ustensile de table - Google Patents

Ustensile de table Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4062806A1
EP4062806A1 EP22163878.6A EP22163878A EP4062806A1 EP 4062806 A1 EP4062806 A1 EP 4062806A1 EP 22163878 A EP22163878 A EP 22163878A EP 4062806 A1 EP4062806 A1 EP 4062806A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
utensil
housing parts
eating
head
eating utensil
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22163878.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Andy Kah-Yong Ong
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP4062806A1 publication Critical patent/EP4062806A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G21/00—Table-ware
    • A47G21/02—Forks; Forks with ejectors; Combined forks and spoons; Salad servers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G21/00—Table-ware
    • A47G21/04—Spoons; Pastry servers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G21/00—Table-ware
    • A47G21/06—Combined or separable sets of table-service utensils; Oyster knives with openers; Fish servers with means for removing bones
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25G—HANDLES FOR HAND IMPLEMENTS
    • B25G1/00—Handle constructions
    • B25G1/06—Handle constructions reversible or adjustable for position
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26B—HAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B26B1/00—Hand knives with adjustable blade; Pocket knives
    • B26B1/10—Handles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G21/00—Table-ware
    • A47G2021/002—Table-ware collapsible

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an eating utensil, in particular a spork device, more particularly, but not exclusively, a device for a portable spork.
  • CN 206 473 133 discloses a foldable soup spoon and fork, a serial communication port, include: the handle, soup spoon portion, the tail end of soup spoon portion with the one end of handle is articulated, forms first pin joint, fork portion, the tail end of fork portion in first pin joint, simultaneously with the one end of handle and the tail end of soup spoon portion is articulated, the handle extension, the one end of handle extension with the handle is relative the other end of first pin joint is articulated.
  • Use the utility model discloses a foldable soup spoon and fork, independence in the time of can effectively improving soup spoon and fork and use increases the effective length of handle under the user state simultaneously, and then the convenient degree when guaranteeing that the user has meal.
  • CN 204 336 521 discloses a foldable spoon.
  • the foldable spoon comprises a spoon body and a foldable handle, wherein the foldable handle consists of a left handle body and a right handle body, lower ends of the left handle body and the right handle body are hinged to the tail end of a spoon handle, the left and right handle bodies can be rotated around respective hinge shafts, when the left and right handle bodies are rotated to the extension line direction of the tail end of the spoon handle, the foldable spoon is in an unfolded state, the foldable handle is combined with the spoon handle, an integral spoon handle is formed, and the length is increased, and the spoon is convenient to use; when the left and right handle bodies are rotated to be overlapped with the spoon body, the spoon handle is arranged in a spoon handle cavity, a spoon head is arranged in a spoon head position, the foldable spoon is in a folded state, the length of the integral spoon handle is decreased, and the spoon is convenient to carry.
  • the left and right handle bodies are inserted in opposite mortises through tenons to be combined with each other and cannot be separated easily;
  • the spoon handle is arranged in the spoon handle cavity of the foldable handle, the spoon head is arranged in the spoon head position of the foldable handle, the spoon handle and the spoon head position are covered, the spoon head and the spoon handle can be prevented from being stained, and the foldable spoon is clean and sanitary.
  • the handle parts themselves do not define a closed container for the spoon. Instead, there are gaps at the side through which waste food could leak or contaminants could ingress. Separate sealing members which are not part of the handle are required to cover the protruding parts of the spoon. The requirement for the user to keep separate sealing members would be a clear inconvenience.
  • the present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.
  • an eating utensil comprising: a utensil head; and a handle comprising two housing parts pivotably attached to the utensil head, each housing part having a recess for receiving at least part of the utensil head therein; the housing parts configured to be pivotable from a first position, in which the utensil head is exposed and the housing parts are for holding in use when eating, to a second position, in which the recesses interengage around the utensil head so as to define a closed container for the utensil head.
  • utensil head By providing a closed container around the utensil head, leakage of waste food from the utensil head is prevented or limited. Additionally, contamination of the utensil head is prevented or limited, which may be particularly relevant before use of the utensil. Since the housing parts of the handle provide the closed container, the eating utensil is convenient to use when away from the home.
  • the term utensil head will be understood to refer to the bowl of a spoon; the tines and root of a fork; the blade of a knife; the bowl, tines and/or cutting edge of a spork; or any other eating utensil.
  • the utensil head may comprise a bowl.
  • the utensil head may comprise tines.
  • the utensil head may comprise a bowl and tines.
  • a utensil head comprising a bowl and tines may otherwise be referred to as a spork.
  • the utensil head may comprise a cutting edge.
  • the eating utensil may further comprise at least one sealing strip for sealing the closed container, the sealing strip projecting from at least one of the recesses.
  • the sealing strip provides improved closure between the two housing parts, since it may allow the overlapping of the housing parts.
  • the sealing strip may alternatively be referred to as a sealing element, and may not necessarily have a strip form.
  • the sealing strip may project from a longitudinal side of the recess and overlaps with the other housing part.
  • the sealing strip may extend along at least a majority of the longitudinal extent of the recess.
  • a sealing strip at two sides of the recess.
  • a top and bottom of the closed container may have an improved closure means.
  • both sealing strips may be on one housing part.
  • the sealing strips may comprise metal. This allows for improved durability as well as convenient construction or formation, since the remainder of the utensil is preferably formed from metal.
  • the eating utensil may consist or consist essentially of metal. This may permit convenient construction and improved durability compared to other materials.
  • the eating utensil may further comprise a neck between the utensil head and the handle.
  • the neck allows the utensil head to be spaced from the folding or pivoting mechanism so that the head may not impinge or clash therewith.
  • the neck may be tapered.
  • the tapered neck reduces the risk of impinging or clashing with the folding or pivoting mechanism.
  • the housing parts are interengaged along an entirety or substantially an entirety of a longitudinal extent thereof.
  • the housing parts are therefore closely engaged and thus the handle is slimmer, which may assist with use thereof.
  • the eating utensil may further comprise a catch for holding the housing parts in the first position and/or the second position.
  • a catch for holding the housing parts in the first position and/or the second position.
  • the catch may comprise a lock and/or the catch may be attached to one of the housing parts and may be lockable to the other of the housing parts.
  • the lock is provided by an interference fit between the stop and a projection on the housing part.
  • the catch may have a rounded catch end and may be attached to one of the housing parts, a stud projecting from the other housing part for the rounded catch end to lock therebehind via an interference fit.
  • the housing parts may be configured to pivot relative to the utensil head about a pivot axis which is aligned or substantially aligned with a vertical direction of the utensil in use.
  • the housing parts close around the utensil head from the sides.
  • the housing parts may be configured to pivot relative to the utensil head about a pivot axis which is aligned or substantially aligned with a horizontal direction of the utensil in use. In other words, the housing parts close around the utensil head from the top and the bottom.
  • a spork device with moveable parts providing a spork extending from a handle in a first position for usage for eating, and a housing into which the spork is moved for transport in a second position.
  • the device may comprise a folding spork device, the device comprising a combined fork and spoon spork, a pair of arms and a pivot, wherein the spork is arranged to extend from the pivot and the arms are arranged to pivot about the pivot and provide the housing in the second position.
  • the device may comprise a single housing, wherein the housing may be slid over or rotated on a pivot to cover the spork in the second position.
  • the spork may extend from the pivot so as to provide a usable part distal the pivot.
  • the arms may be elongated so as to provide easy manipulation of the device when in the first position.
  • the arms may therefore have a base that is capable of passing over the basal portion of the spork, so as to allow the bases to pivot past the basal portion, and allow the arms to move between positions.
  • the arms may provide bases at either end, which bases may be provided by blocks and/or spacers so as to define a space between them.
  • the basal portion or bases are arranged to interact if the arms or spork are pivoting excessively about the pivot, so as to provide a preferred orientation of the arms and spork, in particular reference to the first position, for example providing a stop to rotation.
  • the device may be envisaged to be formed substantially or wholly in metal or alloy, so as to be robust, sustainable and reusable indefinitely.
  • the device may alternatively or additionally comprise robust thermoplastics.
  • the spork may comprise a bowl and a number of tines, which tines may extend from a perimetric location of the bowl.
  • the spork may further comprise serrations, for example along a perimetric edge of the bowl.
  • the handle may comprise two U shaped arms, each turned through 90 degrees to provide a mating indentation that provides the space for tbe spork, such that the spork is inserted in the second position into a resulting space between the arms.
  • the first embodiment thereby comprises a spork 11 and a handle 12 that doubles as arms 1,2 or a housing for the spork in a second position.
  • a mechanism similar to a butterfly knife allows the arms to form a housing to enclose the spork preventing any food from getting into the user's bag or pocket before it is washed and reused.
  • the housing is provided by the arms in the second position, and in the first position the arms act as a handle for the spork with the spork exposed.
  • the device comprises a compact spork designed for eating on the go that can be carried in the user's pocket or bag until used.
  • the arms 1,2 are elongated and rigid and comprise two flat rails joined by an orthogonal back 16 and forming an internal space 21 providing the housing.
  • the internal space 21 may be considered to be a recess which has an opening.
  • the closed container prevents leaks of waste food from the utensil head 11 and/or prevents contamination of the utensil head 11 from the external environment.
  • the arms 1,2 are joined together at the mount 8, and are attached to the mount 8 at either side of the spork. In the first position the arms and spork extend in substantially opposite directions away from the mount. In the second position the spork 11 and arms 1, 2 extend in substantially the same direction wherein the spork is sandwiched between, or enclosed by, the arms 1,2.
  • the mount has two pivot points in the pictured first embodiment.
  • the two pivot points are located in the mount 8 at either side of the head of the spork.
  • the arms have two parallel faces, an open side and a closed side, and closed ends distal the mount.
  • Each arm 1, 2 is pivotably attached to the mount 8 via a bolt or pin 6.
  • Each bolt 6 extends through the mount 8 via hole and through a corresponding hole in a first end portion 14 of each arm 1, 2.
  • Each first end portion 14 is here rounded, which may prevent or limit impingement between the arms.
  • the two arms 1,2 can be opened out to form the handle and expose the spork 11 in the first position.
  • the arms 1, 2 can then be folded over the spork 11 in a second position covering it to prevent food leaking or contamination of the spork.
  • One of the arms comprises a catch for the other arm.
  • a catch is provided by a pivoting looped lever 4, which loops around the opposing arm.
  • the lever 4 is arranged with rounded catch ends 5. At least one rounded catch end 5 passes over an opposing stud or projection on the opposing arm and travels over and past the stud to provide a lock.
  • the catch is thus lockable via an interference fit. Since the lever can rotate in either direction, the opposing arm may have a stud or projection on both lateral sides thereof to permit locking in both of the first and second positions.
  • the stud which permits locking in the second position may be received in a hole of the other arm so that in the first position a close engagement between the two arms is not limited by the presence of the stud.
  • the lever is used to lock the device in both the first and second positions.
  • the catch Whilst described as a looped lever, it will be appreciated that a complete loop may not be necessary, and instead the catch may simply be L-shaped or substantially L-shaped, with a stop extending from a pivotable arm.
  • An overhanging lip 15 from one arm 1 over the space 21 is overlapped with the opposing arm 2 in the second position so as to provide a seal.
  • the overhanging lip 15 may otherwise be referred to as a sealing strip.
  • the lips 15 are thus partly received into the recess 21 of the opposing arm 2, and thereby cover any gap between the two arms which helps to seal the closed container.
  • the lips 15 are on the opposing side of the arm 1 to the other said arm 2, and therefore these do not impact a close engagement between the arms 1, 2 in the first position.
  • the lips 15 are preferably formed from the same material as the remainder of the device, which is preferably metal such as aluminium or stainless steel, although hard plastics may also be considered. However, it will be appreciated that a seal formed from a different material, such as an elastomeric seal, may additionally or alternatively be used.
  • the bowl 9 of the spork is preferably 30mm wide to allow the user to hold more food than conventional designs.
  • the tines 10 are separate from the curvature of the spoon to make it easier for the user to pick up their food.
  • a side edge 18 of the bowl is a cutting edge and is here preferably serrated to allow the user to cut their food.
  • the laterally extending crossbar of the neck portion 7 below the spork helps seal the device in its second position, where in the pictured first embodiment the mount 8 of the spork also forms a lid over the space in the second position.
  • the crossbar neck portion is located at or near one end of the space with a basal portion further extending to internally provide an end of the space 21.
  • Two largely circular disc spacers 17 are used to support the ends of the housings.
  • the spacers 17 are pinned to the housing using stainless steel rods 3 and the circular form is cut to dovetail the rear wall of the arms 1,2. Whilst described as being largely circular, it will be appreciated that the spacers may in fact only have rounded edges.
  • each spacer 17 should be in contact with each other in the second position to provide sealing or closure of the device 99 around the spork 11.
  • each spacer 17 preferably has a flat portion 17a which interengages with the flat portion 17a of the other spacer 17 in the second position.
  • the two bolts 6 are used to allow the arms 1,2 to pivot around the spork to provide the housing in the second position.
  • the bolts 6 define a pivot axis of the arms 1, 2.
  • the bolts 6 here are aligned with a vertical direction, which may be defined in use with the device flat on a surface with a concave surface of the bowl 9 facing upwardly.
  • the bolts 6 can be tightened by the user depending on how much resistance wanted, when opening and closing the first embodiment.
  • the arms 1, 2 may pivot about an axis which is aligned with a vertical direction, it will be appreciated that they may instead pivot around an axis aligned with a horizontal direction. In other words, the arms 1, 2 may approach the spork 11 from the top and bottom.
  • the horizontal direction may be defined orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction.
  • a bolt 6 is also used to allow the locking lever 4 to pivot.
  • the bolt passes through blocks 13 formed at the distal ends of the arms from the spork 11 wherein the blocks form the ends of the housing's space for the spork in the second position of the first embodiment.
  • the blocks 13 have lateral side faces arranged to interfit such that an interfit projection may be utilised for the catch.
  • the device 99 preferably has a longitudinal extent of substantially 150 mm when in the first position, in particular 152 mm. In the second position, the device 99 preferably has a longitudinal extent of substantially 100 mm from end to end, and in particular 96.5 mm.
  • the width of the device 99 is preferably substantially 45 mm, in particular 43.5 mm.
  • the depth of the device 99 is preferably substantially between 15 mm and 20 mm, in particular 17.5 mm. Such dimensions permit portability.
  • FIG. 9 there is shown a second embodiment of the eating utensil or spork device 199.
  • the second embodiment is similar or identical to the first embodiment, and similar or identical reference numerals are used, with 100 added.
  • the second embodiment 199 differs from the first embodiment in that the neck 107 has no laterally extending cross bar. Instead, the neck 107 tapers, and preferably smoothly tapers, from the mount 108 to the spork 111.
  • the spacers 117 provide the closure or sealing around the spork 111 at a neck-adjacent portion when the device 199 is in the second position. As such, the spacers 117 are in contact with each other in the second position and have flat portions which interengage to facilitate this, as per the first embodiment.
  • the omission of the laterally extending cross bar allows for easier accommodation of the arms 101, 102 around the spork 111.
  • both embodiments of the eating utensil are described as having a spork, and a spork is preferred for convenience, it will be appreciated that other utensil heads may be considered, such as spoons, forks or knives.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Table Equipment (AREA)
EP22163878.6A 2021-03-26 2022-03-23 Ustensile de table Pending EP4062806A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2104329.4A GB2605198B (en) 2021-03-26 2021-03-26 Eating utensil

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4062806A1 true EP4062806A1 (fr) 2022-09-28

Family

ID=75783742

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22163878.6A Pending EP4062806A1 (fr) 2021-03-26 2022-03-23 Ustensile de table

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4062806A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2605198B (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114476370A (zh) * 2022-02-21 2022-05-13 内蒙古蒙牛乳业（集团）股份有限公司 产品包装结构

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2714249A (en) * 1953-07-13 1955-08-02 Dixon W Clark Folding knife
FR2554036A1 (fr) * 1983-11-02 1985-05-03 Thoraval Gilles Dispositif d'ouverture et de fermeture d'un couteau ou autre outil ou instrument pliant par rapport a un manche mobile en deux parties avec verrouillage et deverrouillage
US4547965A (en) * 1982-04-16 1985-10-22 Moore Donald M Synchronized folding knife
CN204336521U (zh) 2015-01-04 2015-05-20 黄鸿奎 一种可折叠勺
CN204467696U (zh) 2015-03-27 2015-07-15 盖鑫 医疗护理用折叠勺
CN205363958U (zh) * 2015-12-21 2016-07-06 郎合义 一种可折叠刀具
CN206473133U (zh) 2016-07-06 2017-09-08 膳魔师（中国）家庭制品有限公司 一种折叠式汤匙和叉子

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN2140818Y (zh) * 1992-10-09 1993-08-25 王全民 双柄水果刀
US6715208B2 (en) * 2002-08-12 2004-04-06 Adam M. Lemisch Thumb lock for a butterfly knife
US6848183B2 (en) * 2002-08-12 2005-02-01 Adam M. Lemisch Thumb lock for a butterfly knife
CN210540564U (zh) * 2019-08-28 2020-05-19 嘉诚(厦门)工业有限公司 一种不锈钢餐叉

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2714249A (en) * 1953-07-13 1955-08-02 Dixon W Clark Folding knife
US4547965A (en) * 1982-04-16 1985-10-22 Moore Donald M Synchronized folding knife
FR2554036A1 (fr) * 1983-11-02 1985-05-03 Thoraval Gilles Dispositif d'ouverture et de fermeture d'un couteau ou autre outil ou instrument pliant par rapport a un manche mobile en deux parties avec verrouillage et deverrouillage
CN204336521U (zh) 2015-01-04 2015-05-20 黄鸿奎 一种可折叠勺
CN204467696U (zh) 2015-03-27 2015-07-15 盖鑫 医疗护理用折叠勺
CN205363958U (zh) * 2015-12-21 2016-07-06 郎合义 一种可折叠刀具
CN206473133U (zh) 2016-07-06 2017-09-08 膳魔师（中国）家庭制品有限公司 一种折叠式汤匙和叉子

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Publication number Publication date
GB2605198A (en) 2022-09-28
GB2605198B (en) 2023-04-26
GB202104329D0 (en) 2021-05-12

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